10/15/2026
As the outdoor recreation season draws to a close, enthusiasts utilizing local marinas and recreational trails are preparing to transition their boats, personal watercraft, and all-terrain vehicles into winter storage.
Best Buy Insurance reminds owners that this seasonal shift is the ideal time to review policy details, specifically regarding winter storage or "lay-up periods," which can provide significant cost savings while maintaining essential protection.
A lay-up period is a designated timeframe during the colder months when a vessel or off-road vehicle is explicitly documented as being out of commission and safely stored. Informing your insurance provider of these exact dates can lead to reduced premiums during the off-season.
This adjustment recognizes that the vehicle is no longer exposed to operational hazards like collisions, trail accidents, or open-water liabilities.Crucially, implementing a lay-up period does not cancel your insurance entirely.
Instead, it suspends road or water liability while keeping comprehensive coverage active. This ensures your valuable assets remain fully protected against stationary risks such as theft, vandalism, fire, and structure collapse caused by heavy snow or ice accumulation.
Maintaining this continuous coverage prevents gaps in your insurance history and safeguards your investment, ensuring a seamless return to active status when warmer weather arrives.